“I was a bit shocked by it, and then the other one did too – they were just casually sunbaking. I was a bit like ‘what the hell’. They could’ve picked a better spot.”

Ms Arnold, 23, said the women were in the middle of the large grassed area around the recreation lagoon – where Darwin Waterfront permits topless sunbaking and swimming. Going topless in the wave pool is forbidden.

Ms Arnold said there were families and children around.

Darwin Waterfront general manager Andrew Kirkman said: “Nude and female topless sunbaking is not and will not be allowed at the Wave Lagoon.”

Comments on this story

Its the 21st century, lighten up, you get all stoked up about a couple of ladies taking their tops off but wouldn't blink an eye at other more offensive public behaviour. As if a 5 month old and 3 year old are going to be traumatised for life over the event. Probably a streak of jealousy there somewhere.

Darwin Local of Darwin Posted at 11:38 AM August 25, 2014

23yo and what a prude, feeling sorry for the children and what they grow up thinking is right and wrong.